Thursday, February 25, 2010
Bulls too powerful for the Brumbies at Loftus Versfeld
Flyhalf Morne Steyn scored two tries and kicked five conversions and five penalties as the home side picked up their second consecutive win in this years competition, with Steyn scoring 35 points in total.
The Brumbies were packed with talent and a handful of top class Wallaby players, including the returning Matt Giteau, and had actually led the match 27-20 and looked in control early in the second half.
It took a powerful forward performance from the Bulls to stop them though, scoring 30 unanswered points to take them to yet another home win in the tournament.
The Brumbies managed a consolation try at the end, scored by wing Pat McCabe after some great passing amongst the backs, but it was too little too late as the Bulls went to the top of the table after two rounds.
Captain Victor Matfield was cited after the match for allegedly striking Rocky Elsom, as well as charging into a ruck without binding onto another player. He has since been cleared though, and will be free to play their next match, against the Waratahs at Loftus on Saturday.
Join the forum to discuss the Super 14, the upcoming Six Nations, and to make clip requests .
Time: 07:17
Posted at 11:55 am | 109 comments
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Viewing 109 comments
FrankyH February 25, 2010 12:31 pm

FrankyH February 25, 2010 12:31 pm

eric February 25, 2010 1:12 pm

eric February 25, 2010 1:12 pm

Anonymous February 25, 2010 1:30 pm

Anonymous February 25, 2010 1:30 pm

Anonymous February 25, 2010 1:56 pm

Complaining about the lack of tries and ambition last year and now complaining about there being too many tries.
Its good to see entertaining, attacking rugby again. If the need for kicking arises (against NH sides potentially) then so be it.
Would love to see Munster go to Loftus..... It would be a massacre.
Anonymous February 25, 2010 1:56 pm

Complaining about the lack of tries and ambition last year and now complaining about there being too many tries.
Its good to see entertaining, attacking rugby again. If the need for kicking arises (against NH sides potentially) then so be it.
Would love to see Munster go to Loftus..... It would be a massacre.
Sh*t Spreader February 25, 2010 3:03 pm

When you think that the South African team lost to the Sarries and Leicester Tigers. It would sure be a massacre...
See? I can post stupid comments too.
Sh*t Spreader February 25, 2010 3:03 pm

When you think that the South African team lost to the Sarries and Leicester Tigers. It would sure be a massacre...
See? I can post stupid comments too.
Phil February 25, 2010 3:36 pm

Phil February 25, 2010 3:36 pm

Ted February 25, 2010 3:58 pm

Ted February 25, 2010 3:58 pm

Rob February 25, 2010 4:16 pm

Bulls, Stormers, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Tahs.
That should be the battle for the top 4.
Rob February 25, 2010 4:16 pm

Bulls, Stormers, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Tahs.
That should be the battle for the top 4.
The Inside Shoulder February 25, 2010 4:39 pm

Munster V The Bulls at loftus would definitely be a Bulls win, however the dry conditions, hard ground and massive pitch sizes really give an advantage to them.
Munster V The Bulls at Thormond park in the pissing rain with 5 inches of mud and a v narrow pitch would be an entirely different story.
The Inside Shoulder February 25, 2010 4:39 pm

Munster V The Bulls at loftus would definitely be a Bulls win, however the dry conditions, hard ground and massive pitch sizes really give an advantage to them.
Munster V The Bulls at Thormond park in the pissing rain with 5 inches of mud and a v narrow pitch would be an entirely different story.
Anonymous February 25, 2010 4:49 pm

I'll tell you what, the lines are beginning to blur. We're seeing NH players going south. Soon it will be a football style system where players will play for whomever pays them the most. And not just at the end of their careers either.
Anonymous February 25, 2010 4:49 pm

I'll tell you what, the lines are beginning to blur. We're seeing NH players going south. Soon it will be a football style system where players will play for whomever pays them the most. And not just at the end of their careers either.
Veji1 February 25, 2010 4:49 pm

I guess we will see how teams adapt to the new rules over the course of the Super14, and eventually there will be some form of compromise between the 2 hemispheres, but at this moment M the difference is massive.
One aside, I am a rugby fan above all and it saddens me to see empty stadiums like this. I don't know the SH but is it because tickets are too expensive ? In this case why is that the case, most of the money comes from TV anyway, why price out the fans.. A raucous stadium full of atmosphere is so much better.
Veji1 February 25, 2010 4:49 pm

I guess we will see how teams adapt to the new rules over the course of the Super14, and eventually there will be some form of compromise between the 2 hemispheres, but at this moment M the difference is massive.
One aside, I am a rugby fan above all and it saddens me to see empty stadiums like this. I don't know the SH but is it because tickets are too expensive ? In this case why is that the case, most of the money comes from TV anyway, why price out the fans.. A raucous stadium full of atmosphere is so much better.
Cheis February 25, 2010 5:07 pm

this stadium is quite big: over 50000
In England Rugby premiership most stadiums are between 10000 and 15000: so in fact there were more ppl there than an average premiership match
Furthermore, This stadium is sold out when the Bulls play other SA teams like the Stormers for instance
Cheis February 25, 2010 5:07 pm

this stadium is quite big: over 50000
In England Rugby premiership most stadiums are between 10000 and 15000: so in fact there were more ppl there than an average premiership match
Furthermore, This stadium is sold out when the Bulls play other SA teams like the Stormers for instance
minstrel boy February 25, 2010 5:09 pm

minstrel boy February 25, 2010 5:09 pm

Anonymous February 25, 2010 5:22 pm

Anonymous February 25, 2010 5:22 pm

flapjack February 25, 2010 6:17 pm

flapjack February 25, 2010 6:17 pm

Kearney for tests February 25, 2010 7:10 pm

Kearney for tests February 25, 2010 7:10 pm

hnh February 25, 2010 8:32 pm

hnh February 25, 2010 8:32 pm

Anonymous February 25, 2010 9:00 pm

You must be kidding, the tickets cost peanuts. Every single S14 game is shown live on TV in all 3 of the tri-nations, there's no protection like in English football/rugby. They're showing their true support by watching on TV instead of going to games.
Anonymous February 25, 2010 9:00 pm

You must be kidding, the tickets cost peanuts. Every single S14 game is shown live on TV in all 3 of the tri-nations, there's no protection like in English football/rugby. They're showing their true support by watching on TV instead of going to games.
Anonymous February 25, 2010 9:01 pm

The thing that really strikes me about this footage is the speed of the ball from the breakdown"
That's because the game is ruled differently in the south, piece by piece the south dismantles the game and you end up with American style points fests like the Lions and Chiefs games. RIP rugby.
Anonymous February 25, 2010 9:01 pm

The thing that really strikes me about this footage is the speed of the ball from the breakdown"
That's because the game is ruled differently in the south, piece by piece the south dismantles the game and you end up with American style points fests like the Lions and Chiefs games. RIP rugby.
geordie February 25, 2010 9:27 pm

geordie February 25, 2010 9:27 pm

Anonymous February 25, 2010 9:30 pm

Anonymous February 25, 2010 9:30 pm

Anonymous February 25, 2010 11:19 pm

Anonymous February 25, 2010 11:19 pm

Anonymous February 25, 2010 11:28 pm

Bulls, best team in the world.
Anonymous February 25, 2010 11:28 pm

Bulls, best team in the world.
Anonymous February 26, 2010 12:14 am

This rugby is what you should apsire to.
It might result in your national teams players improving, and who knwos, you might win a few more games.
Anonymous February 26, 2010 12:14 am

This rugby is what you should apsire to.
It might result in your national teams players improving, and who knwos, you might win a few more games.
Anonymous February 26, 2010 12:43 am

Anonymous February 26, 2010 12:43 am

Mart February 26, 2010 1:29 am

I'm so glad someone brought this up. Mark lawrence blatantly obstructed ben alexander from the tackle. It should have been, sorry boys no try scrum.
WTF
this was a turning point in the match, the brumbies were in front... i think??
Alexander should have smashed Mark Lawrence and then said... sorry you were in the way.
Mart February 26, 2010 1:29 am

I'm so glad someone brought this up. Mark lawrence blatantly obstructed ben alexander from the tackle. It should have been, sorry boys no try scrum.
WTF
this was a turning point in the match, the brumbies were in front... i think??
Alexander should have smashed Mark Lawrence and then said... sorry you were in the way.
kjm February 26, 2010 1:50 am

kjm February 26, 2010 1:50 am

Anonymous February 26, 2010 2:50 am

All blacks without Carters are the real losers. What happens when he plays bad? you loose in RWC quarterfinals. This player is a genius, and he makes ABs victories on his own. How many tries France scores IN New-Zeland in june? four. Probably the most beautiful try of the year with Heymans who made four black defenders being ridiculous. And we won the test series. So you shut up and go back in earth you're not alone to play rugby.
Anonymous February 26, 2010 2:50 am

All blacks without Carters are the real losers. What happens when he plays bad? you loose in RWC quarterfinals. This player is a genius, and he makes ABs victories on his own. How many tries France scores IN New-Zeland in june? four. Probably the most beautiful try of the year with Heymans who made four black defenders being ridiculous. And we won the test series. So you shut up and go back in earth you're not alone to play rugby.
Anonymous February 26, 2010 2:59 am

They at least try to play positive attacking rugby.
Anonymous February 26, 2010 2:59 am

They at least try to play positive attacking rugby.
Anonymous February 26, 2010 3:11 am

putting the Dum into RugbyDump
Anonymous February 26, 2010 3:11 am

putting the Dum into RugbyDump
Gman February 26, 2010 4:18 am

Gman February 26, 2010 4:18 am

Simon February 26, 2010 4:34 am

It is a pity that each "comments" section on Rugbydump lately is being hijacked by idiots from both the SH and NH idiots, intent on not discussing rugby games or rules in particular, but focused solely on making broad generalisations about the other hemisphere, the sole purpose of which is to bait others contributors. Simply put, I think we can all agree that different rules apply, thereby allowing different styles of play to succeed. That the SH rules allow quick ball from rucks and mauls, attacking/running rugby, and therefore more tries is without dispute. That the NH rules reward keeping the ball and hand and intense contests at ruck/maul times likewise is uncontested. The rules dictate the style, and whether that style is preferable to the other is a decision which can only be made when the two styles meet playing under the same rules.
Let's keep discussion to various aspects of play in particular games, or the merits or otherwise of specific amendments to the rules. If not, then the comments section shall be reduced to a meaningless argument which never gets resolved.
Simon February 26, 2010 4:42 am

Uli, as for your comment re "Victor Matfield showed him who's boss", I would direct your attention to Matfield's use of his carbon-fibre infused forearm protector when he hits Elsom on the ground. It's easy to teach someone a lesson on the pitch when you use a weapon. I was further surprised that no penalty attached to that, and the subsequent citing produced no ban for hitting.
Fourie du Preez, for mine, is the best halfback in world rugby at the moment. Quick and accurate ball, and astute decision making as to whether to run, kick or pass were the key to the Bull's victory. Still not convinced with Morne Steyn - du Preez makes him look good.
Finally, that try to Du Preez, with Mark Lawrence running interference, ought not to have been allowed. As commented above, it was at a pivotal moment in the match, and would have allowed a greater buffer at half-time to the Brumbies. Saying that, the Bulls deserved the win with an exhilerating display in the last 25 minutes.
One more, defence generally in the first two rounds of the S14 has not been up to standard, but think this has more to do with quick ball meaning players need to work harder and be fitter to ensure that they are onside and properly marking.
Kurt B February 26, 2010 6:51 am

The Bulls fuck anything in their path. Rocky Elsom thought he was the man putting his forearm into Stegmans throat, Victor Matfield showed him who's boss though.
Uli said... dont be a smarty faggot, we're talking about now, currently.
Gosh Uli .. you must be a real scary little boy with all that tough guy talk .. oooo terrifying! .. ha ha what a twerp.
Veji1 February 26, 2010 9:06 am

Like all rugby fans I'll rather see a 30-20 scoreline than a 6-3 scoreline, BUT my priority is to see a competitive game where there is permanent CONTEST for the ball.
I am quite confident that the SUPER14 is showing us to some extent the way to go. Once teams have adapted their defense to the new rules, the games will be more competitives and tries will be more the conclusion of a well crafted movement than a series of missed tackle.
I agree that NH club rugby can be very frustrating. we are at a point in the season where pitches are bad, teams are playing cutthroat rugby to escape relegation or qualify for Hcup, and the best players are in the national teams for the 6 nations.
Hopefully the rules interpretation will converge and we will escape the kicking fest that we can have in the north to get back to more positive rugby, but still allow a fair contest for the ball by the defense.
Maximus February 26, 2010 10:36 am

Thanks for this real thought. At long last.
Anonymous February 26, 2010 11:09 am

I'd want to see that, just for 80 minutes of O'Gara used a tackle bag.
I say for the sake of competition they should play either Clermont or Toulouse.
Ted February 26, 2010 11:20 am

I think the real way the S14 shows the way forward is in its organisation. As I've said before I think English rugby should be regionalised and then play the Irish, Welsh and Scottish regions on a regular basis. Maybe 4/5 regions for England, 3/4 for Ireland, 3/4 for Wales and 2/3 for Scotland (that's just based on the relative population size of the countries, nothing more)
With a cap on how many foreign players each team could have we'd then get a situation where the best players from each country were playing together on a regular basis. The Welsh team was at its best when most of it came from the Ospreys, the Irish team is best when most of it comes from Munster/Leinster, the English team was at its best when at most 4 clubs provided players.
That's at least part of the reason the SH are stronger at the moment, the feeder competition is a more competitive breeding ground for players.
Anonymous February 26, 2010 11:21 am

Now it is a good comp but one thing you have to remember when comparing it to other teams is that S14 runs for what, 3 months. No other comps running alongside, no internationals. So realistically teams have a single focus.
Secondly there is no loss to coming last. You ain't getting relegated and there is no financial loss for the club.
Ok, NH structures have made it the way it is, but your average GP/ML/Top14 team is playing in 3 comps, with 2 international periods in between when you lose half your squad and no matter how expansive your rugby is, if you lose you get relegated and the money stops coming in (look at Bristol for an example).
Say the Bulls carry on playing awesome rugby like this but lose the rest of their matches, is it really going to be a major loss? So they don't get ticket receipts for the final couple of rounds thats it. If they had the financial implications of getting relegated and not being in a couple of comps I reckon play would be much more cautious. It's the equivilent of them being told that if you get relegated your only playing Currie Cup rugby next year.
Ted February 26, 2010 11:22 am

Anonymous February 26, 2010 11:26 am

I don't believe the import ban makes too much sense either. Last year Leinster were a great team, but Elsom was a powerhouse that really help them achieve. OK, the likes of Toulon are taking it to an extreme but I don't think that will sustain itself in the longterm.
Ted February 26, 2010 11:38 am

The foreign imports are only needed because the competitions run at the same time as Internationals. If the comps ran separately like the S14 does then there would be no need to dilute home-grown talent with foreign imports.
The whole thing is probably unrealistic tbh, but I do think the poor quality of domestic rugby (esp. in England) has a massive effect on the national team.
Anonymous February 26, 2010 12:22 pm

What you need is windows where competitions can be played. If you've got internationals coming up don't expect teams to carry on playing through and then whinge that the quality of rugby in the GP isn't up to the level. Some players just look phsically and creatively knackered. The worst example of this is the summer internationals. 'So we've just had a 9 month domestic comp and other bits in between,what would be the best plan now, a 4 week tour in the southern hemisphere' genius.
I blame Rob Andrew.
Ted February 26, 2010 12:42 pm

To bring it back on topic - that is what I most admire about the S14set up. They've gone for simplicity - one competition, no relegation, no clashes with internationals. This isn't the only reason the S14 is such a good competition but I reckon it's the most important.
Anonymous February 26, 2010 12:42 pm

doesnt anyone ever get tired?
2007 SA win RWC finalist Eng
2003 Eng win RWC finalist Aus
1999 Aus win RWC finalist fra
Really its not that amazing....
So let me get this right, do all you SH monkeys tongue each other because another SH team beat a NH team?! really? i mean, do you aussies peeps go bum touching with a bunch of saffers because they won the last RWC?
because you know damn right if it were up to you it would be aus that won and not SA....
and that being said, the only team that plays or seems to play, consistantly well is NZ and look how well they've done in the world cups....
im sorry but this NH SH thing is so bollocks.......
Anonymous February 26, 2010 12:47 pm

jeez could the commentator be any more boring?!?!
ConnachtFan February 26, 2010 12:59 pm

Bulls 50 Brumbies 32
Reds 41 Cru 20
Chiefs 72 Lions 65
You honestly think that these scores would be put up against the likes of Toulose, Leinster or Munster...cop on.
Jon February 26, 2010 1:24 pm

The S14 currently has to be considered the best comp.
Think about it, all the best players from the three strongest rugby nations in Aus, NZ and SA concentrated into only 14 teams.
There are great, international players in every team, many teams are almost international sides.
These teams have very good support from their national unions and get all the best there is to offer in rugby, in terms of preparation, training and coaching.
They have been at the top for a long time and play in generally good conditions for running rugby.
They focus on skills and passing more than anything else.
The NH for many years was behind the SH. They went pro after the SH and are still catching up.
The clubs are generally privately run and so the resources, training facilities and coaching staffs of each club vary wildly.
Some of the top clubs have very good coaches but lack support from their national unions in terms of resources and training.
They have started from behind the S14 and are closing the gap, slowly but surely.
The top clubs now have more money for wages than any other pro teams in rugby and are signing some very good players and coaches, and are lifting the standards.
However, they have to deal with relegation, bad weather for running rugby and have only recently built the development pathways the tri-nations teams take for granted.
As it stands the European teams have closed the gap a great deal, but there is still a bit of work to be done.
Euro rugby needs to improve conditioning and preparation across the board, a big challenge due to the disconnect between the clubs and national unions.
Also the philosophy of many European clubs is negative (with several notable exceptions like Clermont, Toulouse, or Leinster).
They have good reasons for embracing no risk rugby but it falls short at international level, where only the best play will win world cups.
The gap is not wider and it is closing slowly, but the European clubs aren't quite there yet.
The national teams are also very close, France particularly, but again there is still a gap.
Scotsdale February 26, 2010 1:43 pm

And yes, Toulouse etc would probably put 50 on Connacht, if it were played in SH conditions and under these new applications of the law. Think about it.
SH > NH, SUN > RAIN February 26, 2010 2:16 pm

"You honestly think that these scores would be put up against the likes of Toulose, Leinster or Munster...cop on."
Bulls would put 50 on all those teams. Cheetahs would probably beat them. Sharks would struggle. Lions wouldn't be able to. Stormers would beat them comfortably.
Anonymous February 26, 2010 2:30 pm

I like the fact that the ruck interpretation has got rid of constant slow ball and would like to see NH referees take this into account.
I think the biggest issue here is the NH unions. They saw the blueprint that SH had set for the possibilities and instead of following suit, the NH old boys did what they do best, head straight into the sand. Private companies then came in and to the disgust of the Unions they actually wanted a return on their investment. I don't really buy all the rubbish from the RFU that they are getting bullied by the clubs and its compromising the international teams, they have had ample opportunity to do something about this situation and still they try to run the whole thing like it's stuck in the amateur era. The only people that constantly seem satisfied by this situation are people like Baron and Andrew. If the system isn't working you can't expect a change of coach to rectify the problem (and I'm assuming that's why most coaches wont touch the England job with a barge pole).
Once, these Unions sort themselves out things will be truely competitive.
ConnachtFan February 26, 2010 2:41 pm

1) crap tackling /defence,where by every attack results in a try.
2.) The opposing teams must be shite to allow such scorelines. 9ie they cant takle a sandwich)
3.)The gulf in talent between the teams must be huge to allow such massive scores.
You dont have to be a genius or a moron to comrehend that, your argument that scores of 50+ points equates to superior rugby is therefore flawed, not once have the SH gents defended the fact that your standard of tackling in S14 ( as viewed in these 3 games) is a joke. So you want to watch scores of 100 to 75 good for you,,,, And no I never said a 9-3 slogfest is better, give me a 22-20finish any day.
JPM February 26, 2010 4:17 pm

Of course you will have faster rugby in SA. That goes without saying.
However, since professioanlism neither AUS or SA have good record when coming north...only NZ has done very well.
Anonymous February 26, 2010 10:08 pm

Think about it, all the best players from the three strongest rugby nations in Aus, NZ and SA concentrated into only 14 teams.'
You summed it up....the S14 currently HAS TO BE CONSIDERED the best comp....
well actually, no it doesnt have to be considered anything...
Aus.....lost to scotland, draw v ireland...
NZ....chokers
SA....lost to france, ireland, saracens, leicester...
im not bigging up any country but your out right statements like that is crap......
last world cup nz were out a long time ago....aus lost to england, and england were second with SA in front.....not exactly a whitewash competition is it....
Tom February 26, 2010 11:49 pm

Australia hasn't lost a game at home to a European country since 2003.
NZ hasn't conceded a try against NH opposition when touring Europe for over two years.
6 games out of 40, how can you big note yourselves?
The tri-nations play away from home at the end of our season and still win consistently.
The S14 is faster rugby and more skilled than anything you lot up north could ever see in your club rugby.
It's a different level, it's like comparing apples and oranges.
Elsom, Spencer, Jack, Tuqiri, Staniforth, these are just some of the players in recent season who've come out and basically said NH club rugby is of a poor standard.
You guys keep on losing the majority of games, you can't score tries against SH opposition in 90% of cases, you concede tries in 90% of cases, your defense lacks real venom, your skills are second best.
All these things are indisputable.
Anonymous February 26, 2010 11:50 pm

Anonymous February 27, 2010 9:33 am

putting the Dum into RugbyDump'
HAHAHAHHAHA.....
SH fans referring to 6 nation teams losing to 3 SH teams.....
yeh, add in samoa, argentina and fiji to that......
I think im leaving RD comments, its got low brow pointless and very repetetive......ill got to youtube...
Scotsdale February 27, 2010 12:33 pm

There are plenty of normal scores happening, so dont write off the tournament so quickly, especially when the quality of players on show speaks for itself, and the fact that you have the number 1,2, and 3 international sides in the comprising the teams.
I hope that we get a few low scoring, scrumming, slow, kicking, tactical matches this weekend, just to make the NH respect the tournament more! How bizarre.
Anonymous February 27, 2010 11:30 pm

Anonymous February 28, 2010 4:19 am

Yeah, great achievement.
Anonymous February 28, 2010 10:21 am
Scotsdale March 01, 2010 8:58 pm

Funny that, considering the NH have consitantly struggled defend against the 'Big 3' for the past cpl of decades.
If tackling is the be all and end all of winning matches, why have Ireland never beaten the All Blacks? Why has a NH side only won the WC once, in tight, Test match style matches?
The argument is flawed, so get over it. If you're a rugby lover, quit having a go at the other side. Life becomes a lot more enjoyable, believe me.
Anonymous March 01, 2010 9:41 pm

Matty10 March 03, 2010 3:51 pm















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